§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to ensure that the existing controls on the hours of work of train drivers and safety critical staff are maintained. [39387]
§ Mr. WattsUnder the Railways (Safety Critical Work) Regulations 1994, employers have a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that staff undertaking safety critical work do not work such number of hours as would be liable to cause fatigue which could endanger safety.
The Health and Safety Commission has recently consulted on a draft approved code of practice which would give practical guidance to employers on their duty, including guidance on carrying out a risk assessment before making changes to existing working time patterns. The HSC expects to submit the draft ACOP to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport in the next few weeks for his consent prior to formal approval and issue.